What if your deepest struggles don’t define you—but reveal who you really are?
When it comes to Shemiras Einayim and controlling our thoughts, many people believe that the battle itself is a sign of failure. But Rabbi Klapper offers a powerful truth: the fight doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re alive. Hashem designed this world with challenges so that we could grow through them. That includes the taiva itself. It’s not inherently evil—it’s meant to become holy. So instead of asking, “Why do I have this?” the real question is, “What am I meant to do with it?”
In this episode, we dive into the root of the Yetzer Hara, why Hashem gave us this powerful drive, and how holding it back doesn’t weaken it—it strengthens its potential. Why didn’t Hashem just make us without temptation? And how can understanding our mahus—our essence—help us fight back without losing ourselves in shame or guilt? With stories from the Gemara, insights from the Chazal, and examples from everyday life, Rabbi Klapper shows how embracing who you really are gives you the strength to stand tall, even when you fall.
Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

What if your biggest fall isn’t the sin—but what you believe about yourself afterward?
So many people striving for growth fall into a dangerous trap—not because of their Yetzer Hara, but because of how they respond to it. One misstep, and suddenly, it feels like all their progress has vanished. But Rabbi Klapper offers a radically honest and comforting truth: You are not your failure. You are normal. And falling doesn’t make you broken—it makes you human. The true test isn’t whether you fall, but whether you get back up.
In this deeply affirming episode, we explore the power of healthy busha, how to tell the difference between shame that destroys and shame that uplifts, and why your essence—your mahut—is never defined by your mistakes. Why does the Yetzer Hara push perfection so hard? How does focusing on small, winnable battles reshape your identity? And why is just showing up to keep trying the greatest victory of all? With stories, insights, and practical tools, Rabbi Klapper gives you permission to stop being perfect—and start being real.
Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

What if the best way to fight the Yetzer Hara is not to fight it at all?

When we imagine spiritual growth, we often picture intense battles—resisting temptation, wrestling with taivos, fighting off distractions. But the Torah offers a surprising strategy: stay too busy for the Yetzer Hara to catch up. In this episode, Rabbi Klapper explores the concept of misiach daas—not by ignoring the battle, but by turning your focus elsewhere. When your time is filled with purpose, you leave no space for the Yetzer Hara to sneak in. Through a deep look at Paro’s strategy in Mitzrayim and its reversal in avodas Hashem, we uncover how keeping our minds occupied is more than a distraction tactic—it’s a spiritual weapon.

From building Torah learning habits one small step at a time, to finding hobbies, jobs, or friends that keep us energized and grounded, this shiur guides you toward a life of intentional action. Why does boredom open the door to aveiros? How can your free time become a tool for growth instead of a trap for failure? And what does it mean to “walk like a businessman” in your daily life? With clarity and warmth, Rabbi Klapper offers a new lens on time management—not as a productivity hack, but as the foundation of kedusha.

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!